Tailgate with structurally integrated CNG system

ABSTRACT

A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/107,789 filed on Dec. 16, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/836,378, filed on Jun. 18, 2013. Theentire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to refuse vehicles and, moreparticularly, to a refuse vehicle with a tailgate including a CNGsystem.

BACKGROUND

Various types of refuse vehicles with CNG systems have been proposed inthe past. One type is a CNG system mounted to the chassis frame. Thissystem requires a large amount of space which usually is not availableon various types of refuse vehicles. The size of the system limits thecapacity of the refuse vehicle. Also, a large percentage of weight isadded to the chassis front axle.

Another type of a CNG system is a roof mounted system. Here, the CNGsystem is mounted at the highest point on the unit. Accordingly, thisexposes the CNG unit to damage by low bridge overpasses, shop doors,tree limbs, etc. Additionally, a roof mounted CNG system adds a largepercentage of weight to the front axle.

Tailgate mounted preassembled PODs have been installed onto refusevehicles. These units are relatively large providing an overhang withthe center of gravity measured from the tailgate hinge. This creates alarge moment on the tailgate raised cylinder and the tailgate structure.Additionally, the CNG fuel line routing is exposed due to the routingover the tailgate top cross member. The aesthetics of the preassembledsystem is not most desirable. Additionally, the tanks in the PODtailgate are stacked, making inspection and service of the tanksdifficult. Additionally, the POD assembly is quite heavy addingadditional weight to the refuse vehicle reducing its capacity.

It would be desirable to provide a refuse vehicle that overcame thedeficiencies of the existing art. The present refuse vehicle provides aCNG system in the tailgate. The CNG system provides a larger fuelcapacity than previous designs. The system does not extend above thevehicle and thus it is no taller than the highest point of the vehiclebody. This eliminates damage caused from excessive height. The center ofgravity measured from the center of the tailgate hinges is reduced dueto the integrated design with a first CNG tank tucked between thetailgate hinges and the other tanks following the contour of the curvedtailgate. The present design provides an aesthetic appearance with acontoured tailgate having a smooth appearance. The present disclosureenables inspection and service with a single integrated layer of tanksfollowing the contour of the tailgate. Additionally, the weight is keptto a minimum by integrating and utilizing existing structure of thetailgate to create mounting space for the tanks.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a tailgate for a refusevehicle comprises a frame with a first leg and a second leg. The secondleg angles with respect to the first leg. A plurality of CNG tanks iscoupled with the frame. A cover overlays the frame and provides anaesthetic appearance to the tailgate. The first leg has an overallarcuate portion. At least one of the plurality of CNG tanks ispositioned between a pair of hinges that connect the tailgate to therefuse vehicle. At least one of the plurality of CNG tanks is positionedin the second leg of the frame.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a refuse vehiclecomprises a vehicle chassis with a container secured with the vehiclechassis. A tailgate is coupled with the container. The tail gate furthercomprises a frame with a first leg and a second leg. The second legangles with respect to the first leg. A plurality of CNG tanks iscoupled with the frame. A cover overlays the frame and provides anaesthetic appearance to the tailgate. The first leg has an overallarcuate portion. At least one of the plurality of CNG tanks ispositioned between a pair of hinges that connect the tailgate to therefuse vehicle. At least one of the plurality of CNG tanks is positionedin the second leg of the frame.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle with a tailgate designof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1 with the tailgate in a raised position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tailgate of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the tailgate of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support structure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along lines 6-6.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. 6 in a second state.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of FIG. 5 along line 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the frame assembly with the tanksmounted on the frame assembly.

FIG. 10a is a top plan view of the CNG hi-pressure hose routing.

FIG. 10b is a side elevation view of FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 11a is a top plan view of the hi-pressure hose routing with thetailgate in a fully raised position.

FIG. 11b is a side elevation view FIG. 11 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Turning to the figures, a refuse vehicle is illustrated and designatedwith the reference numeral 10. The refuse vehicle includes a chassis 12with a cab 14, a refuse container 16 and tailgate 20. The chassis 12includes a frame 22 that receives the refuse container 16 as well aswheels 24 that provide for mobility of the vehicle.

The tailgate 20 is secured to the container 16 by hinges 26. The hinges26 are connected around pivot pins 28 so that the tailgate 20 can rotatewith respect to the refuse container 16. In order to rotate, a pair oflift cylinders 30 is on each side of the tailgate 20. The lift cylinders30 are coupled with the tailgate so that for opening of the container16, the cylinders 30 are actuated which, in turn, pivot the tailgate 20about the pivots pins 28 via the hinges 26 as seen in FIG. 2.

The tailgate 20 includes a cover 40, framework 42 and a plurality of CNGtanks 44. The cover 40 includes a front portion 46, a top portion 48,side portions 50, 52, a back portion 54, and bottom portion 56. Thecover portions 46-56 surround the framework 42 and tanks 44 to preventaccess to the tanks 44.

The framework 42 includes a pair of side beams 58, 60 which aresubstantially identical. Thus, the explanation of one will apply to boththe side beams 58, 60. A plurality of cross beams 62 connects the sidebeams 58, 60 together. The side beams 58, 60 have a first portion 64 anda second portion 66. The first portion 64 is angled with respect to thesecond portion 66. The second portion 66 has an overall arcuate designand curves longitudinally between the top and bottom of the tailgate 20.The first portion 64 is planar and is at the top of the tailgate 20. Thehinges 26 are secured with the reinforcement member 70. A plurality ofsaddle blocks 68 receives the ends 69 of the tanks 44. The saddle blocks68 maintain the tanks 44 on the framework 42. The saddle blocks 68 arefastened to the side beams 58, 60. Additionally, by combining the tanks44 with the side beams 58, 60 and tailgate structure 42, this creates adesirable shape with a strong lightweight design.

The cover side portions 50, 52 include an outer reinforcement member 70.The side portions 50, 52 include a body 72 attached to the reinforcementmember 70. The body 72 has an overall arcuate edge 74, which follows theside beams 58, 60, that mate with the front and bottom cover portions46, 56. The body portion 72 includes a planar top edge 76 that coupleswith the top cover portion 48. The side covers 50, 52 include aplurality of apertures 78 that enable access to the tanks 44 for fillingand inspection purposes. A plurality of cross members 80 are securedbetween the side members 50, 52. The cross members 80 enable the coverportions 46, 48, and 56 to be secured, such as bolted to the crossmembers 80.

The top cover portion 48 has an overall L-shape following the contour ofthe straight edge 76 of the cover side portions 50, 52 as well as anadditional edge that is perpendicular to the top edge 76. The coverportion 46 has an overall rectangular design and can be bolted orriveted or the like to the cross members 80. The bottom cover portion 56has an overall L-shape for following the contour of the arcuate portionof the side walls as well as the straight edge or the planar bottomportion of the sidewalls 50, 52.

Thus, the tailgate 20 includes a chamber 90 defined by the coverportions 46-56 for housing the tanks 44. The chamber 90 has an arcuateportion 92 as well as a straight top portion 94. The chamber top portion94 enables an additional tank to be positioned at the top of thetailgate 20. This provides for an additional volume of natural gas.

Thus, the cover portions 46-56 provide an aesthetic appearance to thetailgate 20. Also, the tailgate 20 does not extend above the height ofthe refuse vehicle. Additionally, the tanks 44 are provided at the rearof the vehicle reducing the weight on the front axle. Also, the tailgate20 can be raised and lowered without any obstruction to the container.

Turning to FIGS. 5-9, an additional reinforcement structure of theframework side beams 58, 60 and cross beams 62 will be discussed.

The first portion 64 of the side beams 58, 60 includes a top flange 102and a side wall 106. A first gusset 104 is welded to the top flange 102and the sidewall 106 as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9. The firstgusset 104 is aligned on the side beams 58, 60 so that they arepositioned under the saddle blocks 68. Additionally, a second gusset 108is welded with the top flange 102, sidewall 106 and the cross beam 62.This is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9.

The first gusset 104 has various shapes and is illustrated as apolygonal configuration. The gusset 108 includes a first edge 110 and asecond edge 112. The first and second edges 110, 112 are welded or thelike to the top flange 102 and side wall 106. Thus, the gusset 104provides additional strength to control deformation and stress in thestructure. The gusset 104 includes a tear shaped aperture 114. The tearshape aperture 114 includes a circular portion 116 and a channel portion118. As shown, the gusset 104 includes a tapered edge 120 that tapersbetween sides 122 and 124. The channel portion 118 of the aperture 114extends from the circular portion 116 out to the tapered edge 120. Thisdivides the tapered edge 120 and provides a gap creating two portions ofthe gusset 126, 128. As illustrated in FIG. 7, as a load is applied tothe frame structure, the gusset 104 deforms to control the stress in thestructure. The gusset 104 deforms such that the first and second portion126, 128 of the gusset close the gap created by the channel portion 118of the aperture 114. Thus, the gusset 104 controls deformation and keepsstress lower in the area even if a 20G load is applied onto thestructure.

The second gusset 108 has an overall polygonal configuration. The secondgusset 108 includes first and second edges 140, 142 which are secured toflange 102 and side wall 106, respectively, as described above. Thefirst and second edges 140, 142 are welded to the top flange 102 andside wall 106. Additionally, the bottom edge 144 of the second gusset104 is welded to the cross beam 62. The second gusset 104 includes atear shaped aperture 150 with a circular portion 152 and a channelportion 154. The channel portion 154 extends between the junction ofside edges 140, 142. This creates a gap between the first portion 156and second portion 158 of the second gusset 108. Thus, unlike the gusset104, the channel portion 154 opens toward the junction or corner of theflange 102 and side wall 106. When a force is applied to the secondgusset 108, the gap of the channel portion 154 of the aperture 158enlarges as the first portion 156 and second portion 158 of the secondgussets 108 move apart with respect to one another. Thus, the secondgusset 108 controls the deformation and stress in the structure.

Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, the hi-pressure CNG hose connection betweenthe vehicle 10 and the tailgate 20 is illustrated. Here, a flexiblehi-pressure CNG hose 200 is connected between the tailgate 20 and thecollection bin 16. The rear portion 202 of the frame structure includesan aperture 204. The aperture 204 extends toward the cover portion 48 aswell as towards the bottom of the tailgate. Thus, the aperture 204 isL-shaped with a horizontal leg 208 on the top edge and a vertical leg210 on the side edge of the rear portion 202. One end 212 of thehi-pressure CNG hose 200 connects with a fitting 214 extending throughthe aperture 206. The other end 216 of the hi-pressure CNG hose 200connects with a tube 218 that extends from the collection bin 16. Whenthe tailgate 20 moves between an opened and a closed position, thehi-pressure CNG hose connection is not affected due to the movement ofthe flexible hi-pressure CNG hose 200. As the tailgate 20 moves, theflexible hi-pressure CNG hose 200 moves in two planes (horizontal andvertical). In the tailgate closed position (FIGS. 10a and 10b ), thehi-pressure CNG hose 200 is positioned with one end 230 adjacent thetailgate vertically above the bin 16. The U-shaped portion 232 ispositioned on top of the container bin 16. When the tailgate is in afully opened position (FIG. 11a, 11b ), the hi-pressure CNG hose end 230adjacent the tailgate, rotates to move horizontally above the collectionbin 16. The U-shaped portion 232 moves vertically upward away from thecollection bin 16. This prevents the hi-pressure CNG hose 200 fromexceeding a minimum bend radius or a twisting effect that would loosenthe CNG fittings. Thus, the flexible hi-pressure CNG hose 200 providesmovement for opening and closing movement of the tailgate 20. Theflexible hi-pressure CNG hose 200 enables continuous connection betweenthe CNG fuel system of the vehicle and the tailgate. Thus, theflexibility of the hi-pressure CNG hose 200 enables opening and closingof the tailgate without disconnection or termination of the CNG fuelsystem from the tailgate to the vehicle. Also, a shield 234 covers thehi-pressure CNG hose.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tailgate for a refuse vehicle comprising: a frame having a portion curving longitudinally between a top and bottom of the tailgate, the frame extending between a top terminal end of the tailgate and a bottom terminal end of the tailgate; a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks coupled with the frame, the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks are positioned onto the curving portion of the frame from the top of the frame to the bottom of the frame such that the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks are aligned one after the other in a single file pattern so that the single file pattern of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks define a curved line along the frame from the top of the tailgate to the bottom of the tailgate and the plurality of tanks extend from the top of the tailgate to the bottom of the tailgate; and a cover covering the frame.
 2. The tailgate for a refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion is the curving portion.
 3. The tailgate for a refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is positioned between a pair of hinges for connecting to the refuse vehicle.
 4. The tailgate for a refuse vehicle of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is positioned in the first portion.
 5. A refuse vehicle comprising: a vehicle chassis; a container secured with the vehicle chassis; a tailgate coupled with the container, the tailgate further comprising: a frame having a portion curving longitudinally between a top and bottom of the tailgate, the frame extending between a top terminal end of the tailgate and a bottom terminal end of the tailgate; a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks coupled with the frame, the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks are positioned onto the curving portion of the frame such that the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks are aligned one after the other in a single file pattern so that the single file pattern of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks define a curved line along the frame from the top of the tailgate to the bottom the tailgate; and a cover covering the frame.
 6. The refuse vehicle of claim 5, wherein the frame has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion is the curving portion.
 7. The refuse vehicle of claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is positioned between a pair of hinges for connecting to the refuse vehicle.
 8. The refuse vehicle of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is positioned in the first portion.
 9. The tailgate of claim 1, further including a plurality of gussets configured to strengthen the frame.
 10. The refuse vehicle of claim 5, further including a vehicle fuel system and a flexible compressed natural gas hi-pressure hose coupling the compressed natural gas tanks with the vehicle fuel system.
 11. A tailgate for a refuse vehicle comprising: a frame, the frame has a pair of beams extending between a top terminal end and a bottom terminal end of the tailgate, the beams include a curved portion with a plurality of members for receiving compressed natural gas tanks along the beams from the top of the tailgate to the bottom of the tailgate with the compressed natural gas tanks positioned between the beams, the plurality of members for receiving the compressed natural gas tanks are positioned on the beams such that the plurality of members are aligned one after the other in a single file pattern so that the single file pattern of the plurality of members for receiving the compressed natural gas tanks define a curved line along the beams from the top of the tailgate to the bottom of the tailgate; and a cover covering the frame.
 12. The tailgate for a refuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein at least one compressed natural gas tank is positioned between a pair of hinges for connecting to the refuse vehicle.
 13. The tailgate for a refuse vehicle of claim 11, wherein a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks are positioned on the frame.
 14. A refuse vehicle comprising: a vehicle chassis; a container secured with the vehicle chassis; a tailgate coupled with the container, the tailgate further comprising: a frame including a pair of sides, each side including a hinge member coupling the tailgate with the container; each side has a curved portion extending from a top terminal end of the tailgate to a bottom terminal end of the tailgate, each side includes a plurality of members for receiving compressed natural gas tanks; and a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is positioned between the pair of sides, and the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks couple with the plurality of receiving members on the pair of sides, the compressed natural gas tanks positioned along the frame; a pair of end cross members, one end cross member positioned at an end of the frame at the top of the tailgate and the other end cross member positioned at an end of the frame at the bottom of the tailgate, and at least one third cross member positioned between the tailgate top and bottom end cross members and adjacent at least one of the compressed natural gas tanks; and a cover covering the frame.
 15. The refuse vehicle of claim 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is positioned between a pair of hinges for connecting to the refuse vehicle.
 16. The tailgate of claim 11, further including a plurality of gussets configured to strengthen the frame.
 17. The refuse vehicle of claim 14, further including a vehicle fuel system and a flexible compressed natural gas hi-pressure hose coupling the compressed natural gas tanks with the vehicle fuel system. 